4-Oxoretinol, a new natural ligand and transactivator of the retinoic acid receptors.

All-trans-retinoic acid (at-RA) induces cell differentiation in a wide variety of cell types, including F9 embryonic teratocarcinoma cells, and can influence axial pattern formation during embryonic development. We now identify a novel retinoid synthetic pathway in differentiating F9 cells that results in the intracellular production of 4-oxoretinol (4-oxo-ROL) from retinol (vitamin A). Approximately 10-15% of the total retinol in the culture is metabolized to 4-hydroxyretinol and 4-oxo-ROL by the at-RA-treated, differentiating F9 cells over an 18-hr period, but no detectable metabolism of all-trans-retinol to at-RA or 9-cis-retinoic acid is observed in these cells. Remarkably, we show that 4-oxo-ROL can bind and activate transcription of the retinoic acid receptors whereas all-trans-retinol shows neither activity. Low doses of 4-oxo-ROL (e.g., 10(-9) or 10(-10 M) can activate the retinoic acid receptors even though, unlike at-RA, 4-oxo-ROL does not contain an acid moiety at the carbon 15 position. 4-oxo-ROL does not bind or transcriptionally activate the retinoid X receptors. Treatment of F9 cells with 4-oxo-ROL induces differentiation without conversion to the acid and 4-oxo-ROL is active in causing axial truncation when administered to Xenopus embryos at the blastula stage. Thus, 4-oxo-ROL is a natural, biologically active retinoid that is present in differentiated F9 cells. Our data suggest that 4-oxo-ROL may be a novel signaling molecule and regulator of cell differentiation.

Molecular heterogeneity of progenitors and radial migration in the developing cerebral cortex revealed by transgene expression.

We have analyzed the developmental pattern of beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) expression in the cerebral cortex of the beta 2nZ3'1 transgenic mouse line, which was generated using regulatory elements of the beta 2-microglobulin gene and shows ectopic expression in nervous tissue. From embryonic day 10 onward, beta-gal was expressed in the medial and dorsal cortices, including the hippocampal region, whereas lateral cortical areas were devoid of labeling. During the period of cortical neurogenesis (embryonic days 11-17), beta-gal was expressed by selective precursors in the proliferative ventricular zone of the neocortex and hippocampus, as well as by a number of migrating and postmigratory neurons arranged into narrow radial stripes above the labeled progenitors. Thus, the transgene labels a subset of cortical progenitors and their progeny. Postnatally, radial clusters of beta-gal-positive neurons were discernible until postpartum day 10. At this age, the clusters were 250 to 500 microns wide, composed of neurons spanning all the cortical layers and exhibiting several neuronal phenotypes. These data suggest molecular heterogeneity of cortical progenitors and of the cohorts of postmitotic neurons originating from them, which implies intrinsic molecular mosaicism in both cortical progenitors and developing neurons. Furthermore, the data show that neurons committed to the expression of the transgene migrate along very narrow, radial stripes.

A gene encoding a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C is induced by dehydration and salt stress in Arabidopsis thaliana.

A cDNA corresponding to a putative phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) in the higher plant Arabidopsis thaliana was cloned by use of the polymerase chain reaction. The cDNA, designated cAtPLC1, encodes a putative polypeptide of 561 aa with a calculated molecular mass of 64 kDa. The putative product includes so-called X and Y domains found in all PI-PLCs identified to date. In mammalian cells, there are three types of PI-PLC, PLC-beta, -gamma, and -delta. The overall structure of the putative AtPLC1 protein is most similar to that of PLC-delta, although the AtPLC1 protein is much smaller than PLCs from other organisms. The recombinant AtPLC1 protein synthesized in Escherichia coli was able to hydrolyze phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and this activity was completely dependent on Ca2+, as observed also for mammalian PI-PLCs. These results suggest that the AtPLC1 gene encodes a genuine PI-PLC of a higher plant. Northern blot analysis showed that the AtPLC1 gene is expressed at very low levels in the plant under normal conditions but is induced to a significant extent under various environmental stresses, such as dehydration, salinity, and low temperature. These observations suggest that AtPLC1 might be involved in the signal-transduction pathways of environmental stresses and that an increase in the level of AtPLC1 might amplify the signal, in a manner that contributes to the adaptation of the plant to these stresses.

An ethnographic collection from the Northern Ute in the Field Museum of Natural History / James W. VanStone.

n.s. no.28(1997)

Material culture of the Chilcotin Athapaskans of west central British Columbia : collections in the Field Museum of Natural History / James W. VanStone.

n.s. no.20(1993)

The Mammalian faunas of the Washakie Formation, Eocene Age, of Southern Wyoming. Introduction: The geology, history, and setting / William D. Turnbull --.

v.33:no.30(1978)

Indian trade ornaments in the collections of Field Museum of Natural History / James W. VanStone.

n.s. no.13(1989)

The brown-tail moth, Euproctis chrysorrhcea (L.). A report on the life history and habits of the imported brown-tail moth, together with a description of the remedies best suited for destroying it. By Charles H. Fernald ... and Archie H. Kirkland ... Pub. under the direction of the State board of agriculture by authority of the legislature.

1903

The brown-tail moth, Euproctis chrysorrhcea (L.). A report on the life history and habits of the imported brown-tail moth, together with a description of the remedies best suited for destroying it. By Charles H. Fernald ... and Archie H. Kirkland ... Pub. under the direction of the State board of agriculture by authority of the legislature.

1903

A contribution to the natural history of scarlatina derived from observations on the London epidemic of 1887-1888 ...

Mode of access: Internet.

Questioned highway safety program costs in Mississippi. Report to the Honorable John C. Stennis, United States Senate.

Mode of access: Internet.

Natural history of Selborne & observations on nature; with text & new letters of the Buckland ed.;

Mode of access: Internet.

The giraffe in history and art /

Cover title.

Annual of the Boston Society of natural history, 1868-69.

Contains act of incorporation, constitution, sketch of the history of the society, list of members, list of publications, etc., etc.